Core i5-10400H vs Xeon E5-1660

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-10400H vs Xeon E5-1660 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-10400H vs Xeon E5-1660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-10400H

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-1660 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,246 vs 8,324).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1660, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5-1660

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-10400H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,080 MSRP, while Core i5-10400H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-10400H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-10400H better than Xeon E5-1660?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-10400H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1660 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-10400H is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-10400H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,080 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1660 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-10400H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-10400H vs Xeon E5-1660 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-10400H

The Core i5-10400H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,246 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-1660

The Xeon E5-1660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,324 points. Launch price was $290.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-10400H packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-10400H versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1660 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-10400H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-10400H uses the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-10400H scores 8,246 against the Xeon E5-1660's 8,324 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-1660. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-10400H vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1660.

Feature	Core i5-10400H	Xeon E5-1660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+18%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.3 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-H (2020)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,246	8,324
Geekbench 6 Single	1,391	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-10400H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1660 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-10400H	Xeon E5-1660
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-10400H) / not specified (Xeon E5-1660). The Core i5-10400H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1660 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-10400H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-10400H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.